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Curacao’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will go down in history as a pioneering group.

Making their first-ever appearance at the World Cup finals, Curacao sealed qualification in impressive fashion. They won all four games in their opening CONCACAF qualifying group and went on to top their next group ahead of Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.

The island nation’s journey to the World Cup has attracted global attention. As a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curacao has benefited from a FIFA regulation that allows players who previously represented the Netherlands at youth levels to switch allegiance. While the Dutch remain among the tournament favourites, Curacao will field one of the least experienced squads in the competition.

With a team strengthened by players of Curacaoan heritage from across the world, the Caribbean island will officially become the smallest nation ever to compete at the World Cup finals.

Fred Rutten has taken charge as head coach, stepping in after the unfortunate resignation of Guus Hiddink, who had guided Curacao to their historic qualification. The former Dutch international, who earned a single cap for the Netherlands, now leads the team into uncharted territory.

Among the key players are brothers Leandro and Juninho Bacuna—both born in Groningen and once part of the Netherlands’ Under-21 setup—who now represent Curacao at senior level. Currently playing in Turkey, they epitomise the career paths of many Curacao internationals.

Leandro Bacuna captains the national side and shares the record for most international appearances with veteran goalkeeper Eloy Room, formerly of Vitesse and PSV, who currently plays for Miami FC in the United States after a brief period without a club.

Goalkeepers:

GK: Eloy Room (Miami FC)

GK: Tyrick Bodak (Telstar)

GK: Trevor Doornbusch (VVV-Venlo)

Defenders:

DF: Shurandy Sambo (Sparta Rotterdam)

DF: Jurien Gaari (Abha)

DF: Roshon van Eijma (RKC Waalwijk)

DF: Sherel Floranus (PEC Zwolle)

DF: Deveron Fonville (NEC)

DF: Armando Obispo (PSV)

DF: Joshua Brenet (Kayserispor)

DF: Riechedly Bazoer (Konyaspor)

Midfielders:

MF: Godfried Roemeratoe (RKC Waalwijk)

MF: Juninho Bacuna (Gaziantep)

MF: Livano Comenencia (Zurich)

MF: Leandro Bacuna (Igdir)

MF: Ar'jany Martha (Rotherham United)

MF: Tyrese Noslin (Telstar)

MF: Kevin Felida (Den Bosch)

MF: Tahith Chong (Sheffield United)

Forwards:

FW: Jurgen Locadia (Miami FC)

FW: Jeremy Antonisse (Kifisia)

FW: Sontje Hansen (Middlesbrough)

FW: Kenji Gorre (Maccabi Haifa)

FW: Jearl Margaritha (Beveren)

FW: Brandley Kuwas (Volendam)

FW: Gervane Kastaneer (Terengganu)

Upcoming World Cup Fixtures:

May 30, 2026: Scotland vs Curacao, Hampden Park, Glasgow, United Kingdom

June 14, 2026: Germany vs Curacao, NRG Stadium, Houston, United States

June 21, 2026: Ecuador vs Curacao, Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, United States

June 25, 2026: Curacao vs Ivory Coast, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, United States

Recent Results:

March 31, 2026: Australia 5-1 Curacao, AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia

March 27, 2026: China 2-0 Curacao, Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia

November 18, 2025: Jamaica 0-0 Curacao, Independence Park, Kingston, Jamaica

November 13, 2025: Bermuda 0-7 Curacao, National Stadium, Devonshire, Bermuda

October 14, 2025: Curacao 1-1 Trinidad and Tobago, Stadion Ergilio Hato, Willemstad, Curacao

October 10, 2025: Curacao 2-0 Jamaica, Stadion Ergilio Hato, Willemstad, Curacao

September 09, 2025: Curacao 3-2 Bermuda, Stadion Ergilio Hato, Willemstad, Curacao

September 05, 2025: Trinidad and Tobago 0-0 Curacao, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad

June 24, 2025: Honduras 2-1 Curacao, Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, United States

June 21, 2025: Curacao 1-1 Canada, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, United States

June 17, 2025: Curacao 0-0 El Salvador, NRG Stadium, Houston, United States

June 10, 2025: Haiti 1-5 Curacao, Stade Sylvio Cator, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

June 06, 2025: Curacao 4-0 Saint Lucia, Stadion Ergilio Hato, Willemstad, Curacao

March 19, 2025: Kazakhstan 2-0 Curacao, Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Turkey

Curacao have been drawn in Group E for the 2026 World Cup.

Fred Rutten, the 63-year-old head coach, will oversee Curacao’s first-ever World Cup campaign. Appointed after Dick Advocaat stepped down at the start of 2026, Rutten brings decades of club management experience from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Israel to the national stage.

While Advocaat had managed two nations at previous World Cups, this tournament marks Rutten’s debut in international management. Interestingly, Rutten’s international playing career also consisted of just one cap, for the Netherlands against Italy in 1988.

The strong Dutch connection is evident across the Curacao squad, with several players having developed in the Netherlands’ football system. Captain Leandro Bacuna, aged 34, is at the forefront of this talented group, symbolising Curacao’s rise as the leader of the ‘Blue Wave.’

Bacuna, the team’s second-highest all-time goalscorer, continues to deliver consistent performances since joining Bandirmaspor in 2025. His extensive career includes over 100 league appearances for both Aston Villa and Cardiff City, along with spells at Reading and Watford in the Championship, and two stints with his hometown club Groningen.